West Ham United and Game Day Vision enhance experience for the visually impaired

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Image Credit: BBA Photography / Shutterstock.com

West Ham United and Game Day Vision collaborate to enhance the match-day experience of visually impaired fans for the 2025/26 Premier League season. This partnership will ensure that these fans are accompanied by a fully sighted volunteer in the stadium and during travel to and from.

The mission of the Essex-based organisation is to provide visually impaired people with equal opportunities by enabling them to attend live sporting and cultural events. 

Andrew Birch, the founder of Game Day Vision, commented on the necessity of this partnership.

“As a blind person I have attended many events at the London Stadium. Although I think the facilities are brilliant, it can sometimes be tricky navigating your way around without sighted assistance. Having sighted assistance with you is a massive advantage,” Birch said in a statement 

“I first decided to reach out to the Club after attending a West Ham match at the start of last season and finding it difficult to make my way around on my own. My own experience made me realise that fans may need some assistance with them to encourage them to come along to matches. I wouldn’t want there to be barriers holding people back from attending matches with their favourite team.

“Our main aim is to attract more supporters who would like some further assistance at matches. We would also like to attract more potential volunteers to join our team.” 

Cathy Bayford, Co-Chair of the West Ham United Disabled Supporters Association, addressed the relationship between the association and the club. 

“We were delighted to participate in discussions with the Club to bring this provision to the London Stadium, creating more opportunities for visually impaired fans to attend our games. This initiative continues to demonstrate the ongoing collaboration between the Club and the DSA to enhance the matchday experience for supporters who have accessibility needs,” Bayford said in a statement. 

In addition to this service, the club also offers visually impaired fans an audio descriptive commentary service. This allows these fans to keep track of the game using a receiver. 

 

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Just for Kicks: A 1993 NSL Cup throwback with Doug Hodgson and Brian Macnicol

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Image Credit: Soccerscene

In Episode 2 of Soccerscene’s Just for Kicks Podcast, which released this past Saturday, two former Heidelberg United greats shared their memories of the club’s famous 1993 NSL Cup triumph ahead of a massive Australia Cup final between Newcastle Jets and Heidelberg United.

Host Theo Athans sat down with Dougie Hodgson and Brian MacNicol to revisit a golden era of Australian football and preview Heidelberg’s huge Australia Cup final clash with the Newcastle Jets at Lakeside Stadium this Saturday.

Hodgson and MacNicol recalled joining Heidelberg in the early 1990s when the NSL was fiercely competitive and derby clashes with South Melbourne and Melbourne Croatia drew massive crowds on live SBS coverage.

(Left) Doug Hodgson and (Right) Brian Macnicol. Image Credit: Soccerscene

However it was the 1993 NSL Cup win, which was the club’s first at the time, that was the main topic of the discussion.

Both Macnicol and Hodgson were asked about seven fellow 1993 NSL Cup teammates and late former president Peter Tsaklis where they gave an insight on how each of their personalities played a part in a crazy year for the club and also revealed some funny stories about their playing days including the fun they had off the pitch.

The historic run in 1993 started against South Melbourne over two legs where they won 7-4 on aggregate. Hodgson and Macnicol discussed how it was facing the ‘super team’ at the time with the likes of Durakovic, Trimboli, Boutsianis and Steve Blair just to name a few. Wins against Adelaide City and Parramatta Eagles sealed the club’s first national trophy.

Both former champions also discussed their predictions of the huge Australia Cup finals clash coming up this weekend with both predicting Heidelberg to continue what has been an extraordinary run and secure the cup.

Click hear the full interview with Brian Macnicol & Doug Hodgson, on Episode 2 of Soccerscene’s Just for Kicks Podcast – available on all major podcasting platforms.

Melbourne Victory Extend Dealings With Dulux

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory have announced the extension of their partnership with Dulux until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Dulux, part of DuluxGroup, is a house paint company originating from the UK which has been supplying Australians with products since 1918, becoming a partner with the football club in 2005 at their inception.

In the partnership with Melbourne Victory, Dulux will continue their branding across the club, including their famous Dulux Dog being present in member communications, as well as making special appearances at a match during the season.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie remarked on their pleasure to have Dulux continue to partner with the club for the next two years as one of their longest standing partners.

“Our love for the global game has formed a relationship between our organisations for over 20 years and Dulux has been featured throughout our history,” she said via press release.

“Their commitment to the Club is an incredible reflection of their team and their belief in Melbourne Victory and what it represents.

“I’m looking forward to seeing that continue and hope that we ultimately achieve silverware together in the coming season.”

General Manager of Dulux, Phil White expressed the paint company’s excitement to be continuing the partnership.

“Dulux’s relationship with Melbourne Victory continues to gain strength as we enter the 21st year of our partnership,” he said via press release.

“Since 2006, Dulux has been an Inaugural sponsor of Victory, and we are proud to extend our partnership for a further two years.

“Melbourne Victory has always been a family club that supports the wider community, and we are proud to be associated with the Club and its values.”

Dulux will also continue to have their branding on the playing shorts and front of shirt for the Australia Cup kits.

Last year, Dulux and Melbourne Victory celebrated their 20th anniversary together by extending their partnership into this year.

Outside of their relationship with Melbourne Victory, the company has assisted in the refurbishment of local soccer clubs in Australia, including Fernhill Soccer Club receiving new awnings coated by Dulux paints.

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